Pants/hanger organizer

ABSTRACT

A clothing organizer includes a frame having a hanger section and a clothing support section which pivots relative to the hanger section between a first storage position and a second access position. A plurality of elongated receivers are aligned along a common plane and spaced apart from each other and extend perpendicularly from the clothing support section. Each of the receivers defines a fixed end attached to the clothing support section and a free end cantilevered perpendicular to the clothing support section. A sleeve can be removably attachable to any of the receivers. The sleeve slidably engages and can be pivotable about the selected receiver. A handle can be fixed to the clothing support section at an end opposite the hanger section and the hanger section includes a hook to attach the clothing organizer to a closet rod or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed towards hangers. Moreparticularly, the present invention is directed towards a hangerorganizer specifically designed to hold a plurality of articles ofclothing while allowing easy access between the stored position andaccess position.

There are three basic types of clothes hangers. The most commonly knownand used is probably a wire hanger which is configured as a more or lesssquat isosceles triangle that at its upper apex has a hook formed fromtwisting together wires which meet where the two equal inclined sides ofthe triangle join. The second is the wooden hanger, which consists of aflat piece of wood cut into a boomerang-like shape with the edges sandeddown to prevent damage to the clothing, and a hook, usually of metal,protruding from the point. Some wooden hangers have a rounded bar fromtip to tip, forming a flattened triangle. This bar is designed to hangthe trousers belonging to the jacket. The third kind is the plastic coathanger, which mostly mimics the shape of either a wire or wooden hanger.Plastic coat hangers are also produced in smaller sizes to accommodatethe shapes of children's clothes.

The problem with hangers of this nature is that the trousers or slacksor skirts which they support need to be folded over the lower long orhorizontal side of the hanger which can be not only comparatively timeconsuming but also may cause an unwanted crease in the garment at thefold. Another common hanger for trousers and slacks comprises a pair ofhorizontal clamp parts which are resiliently urged together to clamp thetrousers or slacks at their cuffs. A hook is provided that extends abovethe clamping parts which, in turn, is received by a bar or rod thatextends horizontally in a closet or the like. These hangers avoidimparting an unwanted crease to the trousers or slacks. But they aresomewhat difficult to manipulate both in maneuvering the cuffs of thetrousers or slacks between the clamping parts and in the subsequentunclamping action to remove them when desired.

Another type of hanger which is used primarily by women to hang slacksor skirts is similar in configuration to the first mentioned hangerdescribed above except that a portion of the lower horizontal part ofthe isosceles triangle may be removed and a pair of resilient clamps areprovided on the remaining horizontal portions near the outboard ends ofthe hanger. In a variation, the clamps may be slidable along ahorizontal rod. These clamps are, if anything, even more difficult tooperate for clamping the garment in place than required for the secondhanger mentioned above.

Other combinations exist such as a combination of clamping meanstogether with slanting arms disposed above the clamping means which areconfigured for receiving coats, shirts, sweaters, and the like. But theyall suffer from drawbacks because they are, from a comparativestandpoint, time consuming to use and, moreover, when clamps areinvolved, people with disabilities such as arthritis of the hands andwrists find them difficult and sometimes practically impossible tomanipulate.

In addition to the problems discussed above, there has been a growingemphasis to make more efficient use of closet storage space not only topermit a greater number of clothing articles to be stored in a givenarea but also to facilitate access to such articles. The need fororganized storage units has increased due to the tendency in newbuilding construction to reduce the amount of closet space withindwelling units.

In clothes closets, use has been made of various types of telescopinghangers or racks for supporting articles in movable relationship to theclothes rod. Such racks have often provided structure for supporting aplurality of articles in a space which has heretobefore been utilized tohang a single garment or item. However, these prior racks have beenquite cumbersome in and of themselves. Additionally, these racks arehard to install, hard to use and are quite elaborate and expensive.

Accordingly, there is a need for a clothing organizer that is relativelyinexpensive and stores a plurality of garments while remaining easy touse when either hanging or retrieving a particular garment. The presentinvention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A clothing organizer of the present invention includes a frame having ahanger section and a clothing support section. The clothing supportsection pivots relative to the hanger section between a first storageposition and a second access position. A plurality of elongatedreceivers extend generally perpendicularly from the clothing supportsection. An article of clothing can easily be draped over any of thereceivers while the clothing support section is temporarily held in thesecond access position. Then, the clothing support section can bepivoted into its first stage position for compact storage for aplurality of articles of clothing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the receivers are spaced apart from eachother along the clothing support section and the receivers are alignedalong a common plane. Additionally, a sleeve can be removably attachableto any of the receivers. Now, an article of clothing can easily bedraped over the sleeve prior to attaching the sleeve to a selectedreceiver. The sleeve slidably engages the selected receiver and can bepivotable about the selected receiver.

Each of the receivers defines a fixed end attached to the clothingsupport section and a free end cantilevered generally perpendicular tothe clothing support section. Additionally, a handle can be fixed to theclothing support section at an end opposite the hanger section. Also,the hanger section includes a hook to attach the clothing organizer to acloset rod or the like.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed description, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary closet organizer embodyingthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view similar to the structure of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is another side view of the structure of FIG. 1 from the oppositeside of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to the structure of FIG. 1 nowshowing pants hung in the first storage position; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to the structure of FIG. 8 nowshowing pants being selectable in the second access position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the presentinvention for a clothing organizer is referred to generally by thereference number 10. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary closetorganizer 10 embodying the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view ofthe structure of FIG. 1. A frame 12 includes a hanger section 14 and aclothing support section 16. The clothing support section 16 is depictedas two parts fixed together, but it is to be understood that theclothing support section 16 could have been made from just one singlepart.

The hanger section 14 pivots relative to the clothing support section 16at pivot 18. Pivot 18 can be made in a multitude of ways and thisdisclosure is not limited to one precise form described herein. Forinstance, the pivot 18 can be a roller-ball bearing, a journal bearing,or simply a screw through a pair of holes through both the hangersection 14 and clothing support section 16.

The hanger section 14 and clothing support section 18 can be made from amultitude of materials, such as wood, plastic, metals and composites. Inan exemplary embodiment, the sections can be made from a rectangularmetallic rod bent and formed into the desired shape.

A plurality of elongated receivers 20 extend generally perpendicularfrom the clothing support section 16. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspectiveview similar to the structure of FIG. 1 and better shows how receivers20 extend from the clothing support section 16. The receivers 20 arespaced apart from each other along the clothing support section 16 andare aligned along a common plane. Alternatively described, the receivers20 include a fixed end 22 which is attached to the clothing supportsection 16 and a free end 24 cantilevered generally perpendicular to theclothing support section 16.

A sleeve 26, or a plurality of sleeves 26, may be removably attachableto any of the receivers 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the sleeve 26 slidablyengages the selected receiver 20. Furthermore, the sleeve 26 can bepivotable about the selected receiver such that an article ofclothing/garment doesn't shift when transitioning between the storedposition and access position.

The receivers 20 are substantially strong to retain their cantileveredposition even while supporting a heavy article of clothing. Thereceivers 20 can be manufactured from any suitable appropriate material,such as plastics, metals, woods or composites. The sleeve 26 can also bemanufactured from a range of materials. The sleeve 26 should be smoothand free of tiny hooks or defects that could snag the article ofclothing and cause a rip.

It is to be understood that the sleeves 26 may or may not be utilized.For instance, without utilizing the sleeves 26, an article of clothingcan easily be draped over any of the receivers 20 while the clothingsupport section 16 is temporarily held in the second access position.Then, the clothing support section 16 can be pivoted into its firststage position for compact storage for a plurality of articles ofclothing. When the sleeves 26 are utilized, an article of clothing caneasily be draped over the selected sleeve 26 prior to attaching thesleeve 26 to a selected receiver 20.

A handle 28 is fixed to the clothing support section 16 at the endopposite the hanger section 14. A hook 30 is attached to the hangersection 14. The hook 30 may be rotatable about the hanger section 14 tofacilitate the ease of use of the clothing organizer 10. Both the handle28 and the hook 30 are positioned approximately at the center of thereceivers 20. This is done to keep the weight of the clothing organizer10 in line with the handle 28 and the hook 30 such that it doesn't tiltto one side or the other while in use.

Various fastening mechanisms and means may be used to manufacture andassemble the clothing organizer 10. In these exemplary embodiments, thereceivers 20 have threaded ends 32 which protrude through holes 34 andare captured and secured with caps/nuts 36. As can be seen by oneskilled in the art, various other methods of manufacturing the presentinvention are possible.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is another sideview of the structure of FIG. 1 from the opposite side of FIG. 4. FIG. 6is a top view of the structure of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of thestructure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to the structure of FIG. 1 nowshowing pants 38 hung in the first storage position. As is shown,several pairs of pants 38 are draped over the sleeves 26. The closetorganizer 10 is hung from a closet rod 40 or the like. While in thefirst storage position, gravity allows the clothing support section 16to remain upright thereby compactly storing a plurality of pants 38.When one wants to select a specific pair of pants, one can grab thehandle 28 and pivot the clothing support section 16 relative to thehanger section 14. This is shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a perspective viewsimilar to the structure of FIG. 8 now showing pants 38 being selectablein the second access position. The spacing between the receivers 20allows easy access to individual pants 38 whether they are beingattached to or from the closet organizer 10.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposesof illustration, various modifications may be made to each withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

1. A clothing organizer, comprising: a frame including a hanger sectionand a clothing support section which pivots relative to the hangersection between a first storage position and a second access position;and a plurality of elongated receivers extending generallyperpendicularly from the clothing support section, wherein an article ofclothing can easily be draped over any of the receivers while theclothing support section is temporarily held in the second accessposition and then the clothing support section can be pivoted into itsfirst stage position for compact storage for a plurality of articles ofclothing.
 2. The organizer of claim 1, wherein the receivers are spacedapart from each other along the clothing support section.
 3. Theorganizer of claim 2, wherein the receivers are aligned along a commonplane.
 4. The organizer of claim 1, including a sleeve removablyattachable to any of the receivers, wherein an article of clothing caneasily be draped over the sleeve prior to attaching the sleeve to aselected receiver.
 5. The organizer of claim 4, wherein the sleeveslidably engages the selected receiver.
 6. The organizer of claim 5,wherein the sleeve is pivotable about the selected receiver.
 7. Theorganizer of claim 1, wherein each of the receivers comprises a fixedend attached to the clothing support section and a free end cantileveredgenerally perpendicular to the clothing support section.
 8. Theorganizer of claim 1, including a handle fixed to the clothing supportsection at an end opposite the hanger section.
 9. The organizer of claim1, wherein the hanger section includes a hook.
 10. A clothing organizer,comprising: a frame including a hanger section and a clothing supportsection which pivots relative to the hanger section between a firststorage position and a second access position; a plurality of elongatedreceivers extending generally perpendicularly from the clothing supportsection where the receivers are spaced apart from each other along theclothing support section; and a sleeve removably attachable to any ofthe receivers, wherein an article of clothing can easily be draped overthe sleeve prior to attaching the sleeve to a selected receiver whilethe clothing support section is temporarily held in the second accessposition and then the clothing support section can be pivoted into itsfirst stage position for compact storage for a plurality of articles ofclothing.
 11. The organizer of claim 10, wherein the receivers arealigned along a common plane.
 12. The organizer of claim 10, wherein thesleeve slidably engages the selected receiver.
 13. The organizer ofclaim 12, wherein the sleeve is pivotable about the selected receiver.14. The organizer of claim 10, wherein each of the receivers comprises afixed end attached to the clothing support section and a free endcantilevered generally perpendicular to the clothing support section.15. The organizer of claim 10, including a handle fixed to the clothingsupport section at an end opposite the hanger section.
 16. The organizerof claim 10, wherein the hanger section includes a hook.
 17. A clothingorganizer, comprising: a frame including a hanger section and a clothingsupport section which pivots relative to the hanger section between afirst storage position and a second access position; a plurality ofelongated receivers extending generally perpendicularly from theclothing support section wherein each of the receivers comprises a fixedend attached to the clothing support section and a free end cantileveredgenerally perpendicular to the clothing support section; a handle fixedto the clothing support section at an end opposite the hanger section asleeve removably attachable to any of the receivers, wherein an articleof clothing can easily be draped over the sleeve prior to attaching thesleeve to a selected receiver while the clothing support section istemporarily held in the second access position and then the clothingsupport section can be pivoted into its first stage position for compactstorage for a plurality of articles of clothing.
 18. The organizer ofclaim 17, wherein the receivers are spaced apart from each other alongthe clothing support section and are aligned along a common plane. 19.The organizer of claim 17, wherein the sleeve slidably engages and ispivotable about the selected receiver.
 20. The organizer of claim 17,wherein the hanger section includes a hook.